Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

[Elwood Blues]

I honestly don't know

I can see the advantages of providing some of the benefits quicker (albeit on a lesser scale).

I can also understand why there is upset that the full plan will not be implemented although the 2040's
does seem a long way away.

Could new technology such as the Richard Branson Hyper Loop make traditional railway systems (at least, long distance ones) redundant by then.

Far fetched? Maybe, but it not so long that people thought that commercially viable electric cars were way in the future. Who would have forecast 10 years ago that the UK would phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 ( only 9nyeaqrs away now)

[bigjoe]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

Richard Branson Hyper Loop

The idea has been around since the early 19th century

[Rjk]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

I can't see this playing out well for the government, they made a big fuss about the "northern powerhouse". This is an open goal for Labour surely?

[JamesWales]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

I can't see this playing out well for the government, they made a big fuss about the "northern powerhouse". This is an open goal for Labour surely?

The headline isn't great, but it'll pass. HS2 has always been both controversial but also a long way in the future. This will bring forward more benefits to more communities and quicker.

I've never supported HS2 personally, so I think it's better to spread the benefits out more and improve more routes etc.

[jon1959]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

I can't see this playing out well for the government, they made a big fuss about the "northern powerhouse". This is an open goal for Labour surely?

I want to see HS2 to Leeds (and beyond) and the promised new trans-Pennine track - but the breaking of multiple promises by Johnson and the government is no surprise. The reaction from the regional press (especially Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle) and northern politicians and business reps has been vitriolic. But the loudest noise has come from the big Labour cities.

I'm not sure how the 'betrayal' line is going to play in the new 'Blue Wall' seats where the benefits of HS2 would have been more remote. It doesn't help that Starmer was and HS2 sceptic (north London seat - all pain and no gain) but has now discovered the case for it, a bit too late.

More 'broken promises' and the appearance of Tory disarray may have a longer term effect on Tory support than the specifics of the HS2 cancellation and merits or otherwise of the alternative plans they are cobbling together.

[life on mars]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

I think the North does need a quick response not a project that finishes in 2040 or probably beyond and double the cost it is projected at now , best to help the areas now, and put the bigger project n the back burner ,or cancel it .

Working local folk don't all need quick mainline routes between big cities, forking out high end ticket prices.

Locals will be looking looking for better shorter transport infrastructures , perhaps this funding may provide it ?? and may keep those communities together , and not see families split up root from their smaller city / towns to go to big cities to work .

All Governments have let the North down over the decades in the rush for big City growth and wealth in particular the South .

[Rjk]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

The headline isn't great, but it'll pass. HS2 has always been both controversial but also a long way in the future. This will bring forward more benefits to more communities and quicker.

I've never supported HS2 personally, so I think it's better to spread the benefits out more and improve more routes etc.

You're right about the it'll pass comment - voters have very short memories - they say that only the last 18 months or so before an election really register with the voter, so they probably think they're far enough ahead of where they need to be to get some unpopular things out of the way now.

[Heathblue]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

Rail network is due for an overhaul, but too much into one project for the sake of 20 mins, The blonde one hasn't been too long to start shitting on his northern wall, if it's a major start to his removal a silver cloud n all that.

[Wozza16]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

Good news for the people of Wales, how we are paying for an infrastructure project for another country that actually causes a negative economic effect is simply mindblowing, the only thing even worse is that so many people seem fine about it. Borderline robbery of £5billion which could make a massive positive difference to peoples lives, crooks.

[Gofer Blue]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

The government was wrong about HS2 full stop. For over a £100 billion spend on HS2 business people would save about 30 minutes travelling time between London and Birmingham - big deal! The project should never have been started and the money spent on improving Intercity connections between cities in the North instead.

[Wozza16]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

Is there any approximate costs of electrifying the majority of the UK network like say Europe has done?

[JamesWales]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

HS2 cancelled from Brum to Manchester..

[Rjk]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

The government was wrong about HS2 full stop. For over a £100 billion spend on HS2 business people would save about 30 minutes travelling time between London and Birmingham - big deal! The project should never have been started and the money spent on improving Intercity connections between cities in the North instead.

The business case was more to do with additional capacity on the mainline

[Rjk]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

Good news for the people of Wales, how we are paying for an infrastructure project for another country that actually causes a negative economic effect is simply mindblowing, the only thing even worse is that so many people seem fine about it. Borderline robbery of £5billion which could make a massive positive difference to peoples lives, crooks.

this is such a scandal, we should be all up in arms about this. 5bn of infrastructure spending would be very significant for Wales

[TWGL1]

Re: Revised HS2 Is the government right or wrong?

this is such a scandal, we should be all up in arms about this. 5bn of infrastructure spending would be very significant for Wales

It is a huge scandal and they’ve used indirectly Covid as an excuse. https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/new...-b2420328.html

The money wasted on the M4 relief road , central government underspend, £33m on the 20mph policy and the Welsh taxpayers contribution to the HS2 programme could have helped towards improvements in infrastructure and rolling stock for TfW, particularly the Milford Haven to Manchester service which is way behind other rail franchises.